This might be a important step for William... But I tought he was supposed to start his new job in that period?

According to the press release for William's new job
This job will be the Duke's primary occupation, but his roster will take into account the duties and responsibilities he will continue to undertake on behalf of The Queen, both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The Duke will also continue his work with his patronages and with the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

What happens with him on a solo tour you saw with Malta...if the reporters from the uk don't think he will make the front page they probably won't go. I am sure there will be three or four...but not a whole pack. I have no doubt from the Japanese and Chinese press that they will give him a ton of coverage.

I think if they could've waited a year..they would've gotten more press with Kate on the tour...but, obviously someones eager to have a royal there.

Its remember quite well the dubious reactions we've seen with Wills taking on an air ambulance job with EAAA and thinking he should really be starting to step up more in his royal role. With this announcement of his planned visit to Japan and China early next year along with quite a few different functions he's performed in the past few months, I think he really is stepping up and will continue to.

I think he will do remarkably well representing the Queen on this visit and will charm the socks off 'em.

__________________
No law can be sacred to me but that of my nature. Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to that or this; the only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong what is against it.

Well, I hope William gets a lot of coverage here in the UK as much as in China and Japan - and I am so pleased that Japan is included in this overseas visit.

I am disappointed that the trip is scheduled at a time when Catherine cannot attend - but mother nature takes precedent even over China and Japan's protocol and ceremony!

The timing of these events are also to do with the GREAT campaign. 500 businesses promoting themselves in China would have taken some time to organise. He is doing this on behalf of the British Government as in they put the idea forward (to co-incide with GREAT campaign event), China agreed and issued the invite.

If it goes well, then he will be back in... 15 years?? and he can bring Catherine with him.

__________________

This precious stone set in the silver sea,......This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

Regarding UK's relationship with China and the emphasis that the issues are down to DoE and PoW, here is a quote from the Telegraph

QUOTE:

The Prince [Charles], who has not been to China since, has also angered Communist Party leaders in Beijing through his close relationship with the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of the disputed territory of Tibet.

The Dalai Lama has described the Prince of Wales as one of his “best friends”, having been entertained by him numerous times at Clarence House.

Diplomatic relations between Britain and China have been repeatedly tested in recent years because of visits to London by the Dalai Lama, during which he has also met David Cameron .

High-level communications between the two countries were frozen for months after a row over Mr Cameron’s decision to meet the Dalai Lama in 2012. Mr Cameron was accused of “seriously interfering with China’s internal affairs”. The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, meanwhile, has been a vocal critic of China’s record on human rights.

But following a change of leadership of the Communist Party in 2013, diplomatic relations thawed, and President Xi Jinping will regard a visit by the Duke as a major step forward in improving political and trade links with the UK.

The invitation from China follows the official visit to Britain by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in June, when Mr Li met the Queen at Windsor Castle.

END

The real issue seems to be political.

__________________

This precious stone set in the silver sea,......This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

I am glad Kate isn't going because now the visit will get coverage for the proper reasons and we wont have endless articles with the same photos of Kate in the same dress and brand new shoes. Of course it's risky for her to go as she is pregnant with the spare heir, so it's good she isn't going. I am just glad William's visit will be the primary focus of the visit and not Kate's sartorial choices.

__________________

__________________

"I am yours, you are mine, of that be sure. You are locked in my heart, the little key is lost and now you must stay there forever."

Written by Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine in the diary of her fiance, Tsarevich Nicholas.